The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of gel formulations containing
arbutin, synthetic
ellagic acid and
plant extracts that contain
ellagic acid, on patients with
melasma. Thirty patients who applied to Ege University Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, were included in the study. A signed consent was obtained from each patient prior to study. Patients whose type of
melasma was determined via Wood's lamp were randomized to groups of
arbutin, synthetic
ellagic acid and
plant extract containing natural
ellagic acid. The pigment density of patients was evaluated via Mexameter before and after the treatment. The approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee of Ege University was obtained before the study. Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in the statistical analysis. Nine of 10 patients, for whom synthetic
ellagic acid was started, completed the study. A decrease in the level of
melanin was determined in eight of these nine patients (P = 0.038). A significant decrease in the level of
melanin was also determined in all 10 patients who used
plant extract containing
ellagic acid (P = 0.05). A significant response was obtained from all of 10 patients who used
arbutin. The difference between pre- and post-treatment levels of
melanin was statistically significant (P = 0.05). Formulations prepared with
plant extracts containing
ellagic acid was found effective on
melasma, similar to the formulations containing synthetic
ellagic acid and
arbutin. This material that is not yet being used widespread commercially on
melasma could be an effective alternative for treatment of
melasma.